Our membership year runs from 1 January until 31 December. If you join during the year your membership rate will be pro-rated depending on the month you join. If you join online, this is done automatically.

Qualified optometrists who work in the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland. This grade includes cover for volunteer work overseas for up to four weeks per calendar year with selected charities and countries, on the condition that AOP is informed and confirms the cover in writing at least two weeks in advance of travel. This grade requires ongoing GOC membership. Any work outside of the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland prior to joining is excluded.

Newly-qualified optometrists who work in the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland. This grade includes cover for volunteer work overseas for up to four weeks per calendar year with selected charities and countries, on the condition that AOP is informed and confirms the cover in writing at least two weeks in advance of travel. This category is available on a pro-rata basis within their year of qualification and for the calendar year following qualification. This grade requires ongoing GOC membership.

Qualified optometrists in the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland who work less than 100 days in a calendar year (any work carried out on a day equates to one day). For clarity, all work conducted either in a self-employed or employed capacity within the calender year is included in the 100 day total.

Optometrists who teach and supervise optometry students in a university need not include teaching and supervising days undertaken in the university within the 100 day limit.

This grade includes cover for volunteer work overseas for up to four weeks per calendar year with selected charities and countries, on the condition that the AOP is informed and confirms the cover in writing at least two weeks in advance of travel. The four weeks must be accounted for in the 100 day limit. This grade requires ongoing GOC membership. Any work outside of the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland prior to joining is excluded.

Optometrists in the UK, Channel Islands, the Republic of Ireland or those residing overseas, who have stopped practising and intend to practise in the future. No paid optometry work can be carried out during a calendar year in any country whilst in this category.

This grade is available to any qualified optometrist or dispensing optician residing in the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland, who has been a member for a minimum continuous 12-month period, and will not be practising for a period due to parental leave (including maternity, paternity and adoption leave).

Admission to this grade is subject to provision of the standard MATB1 Certificate or Adoption Certificate, and when necessary a letter from the employer, and adherence to the provisions as will be outlined prior to acceptance into the grade. Medical malpractice insurance cover is given for up to ten working days during the period of leave. All other member benefits will continue during the period of leave.

This grade cannot be applied retrospectively. Members can remain on this grade whilst on leave only, for a minimum of one month and a maximum of 12 months. This grade is available to only one parent per child. This grade requires ongoing GOC membership.

This grade is available from January 2017.

Payment freeze during the period of leave only, for a minimum of one month and a maximum of 12 months

This grade is not available online or for new members. Contact membership@aop.org.uk for more information

NEWLY-RETIRED

This grade is available to members who have ceased to practise and do not intend to resume and who are no longer involved in ownership or management of a practice in such a manner that they will be responsible as an optometrist or dispensing optician for the work undertaken by the practice.

Cover is provided for acts committed whilst a member. After a year on this grade, members will be classified as Lifetime Members.

As a Lifetime Member, continued receipt of the AOP's journal Optometry Today in print is subject to annual confirmation that it is required.

Free of charge

This grade is not available online or for new members. Contact membership@aop.org.uk for more information

DISPENSING OPTICIAN

DISPENSING OPTICIAN

Qualified dispensing opticians who work in the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland. This grade includes cover for volunteer work overseas for up to four weeks per calendar year with selected charities and countries, on the condition that the AOP is informed and confirms the cover in writing at least two weeks in advance of travel. This grade requires ongoing GOC membership.

Any work outside of the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland prior to joining is excluded.

Qualified dispensing opticians (DOs) in the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland who work less than 100 days in a calendar year (any work carried out on a day equates to one day). For clarity, all work conducted either in a self-employed or employed capacity within the calendar year is included in the 100 day total.

DOs who teach and supervise DO students in a university need not include teaching and supervising days undertaken in the university within the 100 day limit. This grade includes cover for volunteer work overseas for up to four weeks per calendar year with selected charities and countries, on the condition that AOP is informed and confirms the cover in writing at least two weeks in advance of travel. The four weeks must be accounted for in the 100 day limit. This grade requires ongoing GOC membership.

Any work outside of the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland prior to joining is excluded.

Newly qualified dispensing opticians who work in the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland. This grade includes cover for volunteer work overseas for up to four weeks per calendar year with selected charities and countries, on the condition that the AOP is informed and confirms the cover in writing at least two weeks in advance of travel. This category is available on a pro-rata basis within their year of qualification and for the calendar year following qualification. This grade requires ongoing GOC membership.

Optometrists who are on the GOC register, or have qualified in the UK and are eligible to be on the GOC register, and are now practising abroad, excluding in the USA, Canada, Nigeria, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe. This category includes medical malpractice cover for optometry work overseas, excluding the USA, Canada, Nigeria, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe, and up to 100 days optometry work in the UK each year.

Optometrists who are on the GOC register, or have qualified in the UK and are eligible to be on the GOC register, and are now practising abroad for less than 100 days per annum, excluding in the USA, Canada, Nigeria, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe. This category includes medical malpractice cover for up to 100 days optometry work overseas, excluding the USA, Canada, Nigeria, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe, and cover for an additional 100 days optometry work in the UK each year.

Optometrists who are on the GOC register, or who have qualified in the UK and are eligible to be on the GOC register, and wish to remain members of the AOP, but are not insured for any work abroad. This category includes medical malpractice cover for up to 100 days optometry work in the UK each year.

Available to lay practice owners in the UK, Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland, to insure the practice, should it be sued because of an act of omission by one of its staff. Only available on the condition that all employed optometrists are members. Lay Practice Owner cover is not eligible for any membership benefits aside from medical malpractice insurance.